Browsing by Author "Tshuma, N."

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    An Assessment of Financial Inclusion Challenges Among Women Vendors at the Bulawayo Vegetable Market
    (RSIS, 2024-05-10) Tshuma, N.; Kufa, A.T.; Sibanda, E.; Setoboli, T
    In the vibrant markets of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, where women entrepreneurs thrive, a critical challenge persists: financial inclusion remains low. However, Mobile Financial Services (MFS) digital platforms have the potential to revolutionize access to affordable financial solutions for women entrepreneurs. Our study delved into the experiences of women vendors at the bustling Bulawayo Vegetable Market during the period from 2016 to 2023. Through a descriptive survey design, we aimed to uncover the hurdles faced by these enterprising women as they navigated the realm of MFS. Findings revealed that many women were unaware of the existence and benefits of MFS. The lack of knowledge hindered their participation. Proper documentation essential for accessing financial services remained elusive for some. Without it, women faced barriers in utilizing MFS. Limited education posed a significant obstacle. Basic financial literacy and digital skills were prerequisites for effective MFS adoption. The absence of digital skills impeded women from confidently using mobile platforms for financial transactions. Scarce availability of mobile money agents in the market area restricted women’s access to MFS. To bridge this gender gap and empower women entrepreneurs, we recommend Financial Institutions to Collaborate with MFS providers to offer targeted training programs. These sessions should focus on MFS awareness, digital literacy, and documentation procedures. NGOs Community Initiatives should launch awareness campaigns specifically tailored for women vendors. These campaigns can demystify MFS, emphasize its benefits, and address common concerns. By dismantling these barriers, we can unlock the full potential of MFS, enabling women entrepreneurs to thrive and contribute significantly to sustainable development in Zimbabwe.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Application of amine-modified tannins gels as coagulants in wastewater treatment
    (Research Square, 2024-08-28) Thelmmer, M.; Ncube, S.; Moyo, L.B.; Mamvura, T.A.; Danha, G.; Simate, G.S.; Tshuma, N.
    Tannin (T) is an organic substance that may potentially be used as an inexpensive, environmentally friendly, and effective bio-coagulant to remove impurities from residential and commercial wastewater. In this study, bio-coagulants were prepared using tannins obtained from the wattle tree (Acacia mearnsii). The bio-coagulants were modified using formalin and optionally, ethanolamine (ETA) and ammonium chloride (NH 4 Cl) as amine sources through the Mannich Reaction scheme. Three coagulants were prepared, T-ETA modified tannin, T-NH 4 Cl modified tannin and a mixture of T-ETA: T-NH 4 Cl in molar ratio 1: 1. Aluminium sulphate [Al 2 (SO 4) 3], a metal-coagulant was also used as the standard for comparison. The three coagulants were tested at varied concentrations (500–1250 mg/L) using jar tests on laundry wastewater to see their effect on remediation of wastewater. A mixture of bio-coagulant T-NH 4 Cl and T-ETA was most effective with highest removal efficiencies for turbidity (94%), COD (85%), Total solids (87%) and nitrates (99%). For colour removal T-NH 4 Cl modified tannin showed the highest removal efficiency of 92%. The results support the use of cheaper and environmentally friendly amine modified tannin-based flocculants in laundry wastewater treatment as they showed less toxicity on the treated water.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Determinants of Crop Insurance Uptake by Tobacco Farmers in Zimbabwe
    (RSIS, 2024-07-05) Nyathi, L.D.; Tshuma, N.
    Agriculture serves as the cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s economy, supplying more than 60% of the raw materials needed by various industries. Additionally, it constitutes 40% of the country’s total exports, making it the primary contributor to export revenue. Notably, tobacco accounts for 50% of these exports, solidifying its position as the largest contributor within the agricultural sector. The remarkable growth in tobacco production can be attributed to small-scale producers who gained empowerment through the Fast Track Land Reform Program (FTLRP). Despite the prosperity and expansion observed in tobacco production, an inherent risk persists, particularly among new farmers. The absence of safety nets to cushion against adverse events poses a significant challenge in this critical sector. Consequently, this study aims to examine the factors influencing crop insurance adoption by tobacco farmers. We employed a concise and validated closed-ended questionnaire, collecting data from 121 farmers. Subsequently, we conducted an econometric analysis using a logistic model in STATA V 11 to explore the determinants of crop insurance uptake. The research findings indicate that several factors significantly influence the uptake of crop insurance among tobacco farmers. These factors include tobacco farming experience, level of education (measured in school years), frequency of extension officer visits, and the farmer’s income. Despite these influential factors, the adoption of tobacco insurance remains low, with a considerable number of tobacco farmers unaware of the insurance schemes offered by insurance companies. In summary, the study underscores the pivotal role of tobacco as a major contributor to foreign currency and employment in Zimbabwe. Recognizing the economic significance of tobacco exports, the paper recommends that Zimbabwean tobacco farmers embrace more formal risk management strategies, such as agricultural insurance, to safeguard and consolidate the gains they have achieved thus far.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Enhancing food security through microirrigation: Evaluating the contribution of treadle pumps to household food security in Umzingwane district of Zimbabwe
    (2014) Dube, T.; Maphosa, M.; Dube, Z. L.; Ncube, G.; Tshuma, N.
    Amongst a plethora of challenges facing the African continent today is the food security issue. Close to 240 million people in sub-Saharan Africa are food insecure (Bremner, 2012). A number of reasons have been advanced to explain the food insecurity situation of which inter-alia include climate change, low food and agricultural productivity and production. This article is centred on assessing the use of treadle pumps micro irrigation technologies strategy in an attempt to counter low food and agricultural productivity in Umzingwane district of Zimbabwe. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used with data being collected through questionnaires, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. A total of 100 smallholder farmers participated in the study which covered 6 Wards. Study findings reveal that the use of treadle pumps improves household food security though this inevitably comes at a cost to the natural environment. This is largely due to the way in which this form of micro-irrigation is practiced in the District. However, notwithstanding the positive contribution of treadle pumps to household food security, the use of these pumps is fraught with a number of challenges some of which include lack of backup services, spares, marketing and an unsupportive institutional environment
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Synthesis of glass-based catalysts for biodiesel production from a blend of beef tallow and waste cooking oil
    (ELSEVIER, 2025-01-16) Mashamba, M.; Tshuma, L.; Moyo, L. B.; Tshuma, N.; Simate, G. S.
    The perennial disparity between supply and demand of energy as a result of burgeoning populations, expeditious urbanisation and industrialisation has driven the need for alternative energy sources. Biodiesel has emerged as a promising vehicular fuel due to its similar physiochemical properties to mineral diesel and its potential to minimise environmental impact. However, the commercialisation of biodiesel production faces challenges, particularly related to feedstock and catalyst selection. This study explored the utilisation of waste laboratory glass to synthesize heterogeneous catalyst for producing biodiesel from a blend of beef tallow and waste cooking oil. Heterogeneous catalysts are crucial for achieving high conversion efficiency, reusability, ease of separation and minimal environmental degradation. The particle size distribution of the catalysts was heterogeneous, with 23.33 % of particles passing 710 μm, 30.83 % passing 500 μm, and 45.83 % passing 350 μm. XRF analysis revealed that silica was the primary elemental constituent, comprising over 70 % of the total sample composition, and successful incorporation of Na, Mg, and Zn in the respective treated catalysts was observed. FTIR analysis of the calcined and uncalcined catalysts showed a sharp decrease in hydroxyl functional groups, indicating successful calcination. All glass-based catalyst samples exhibited strong Si-O-Si vibration stretches around 1100cm− 1, confirming the presence of silicon as the glass precursor. The FTIR results of the crude biodiesel samples produced by the catalysts at 15 min intervals showed that the NaOH treated glass-based catalyst exhibited the fastest transesterification reaction.. The results showed that the NaOH treated, MgO treated, Zncl2 treated, and control glass-based catalysts achieved catalyst yields of 80.63 %, 86.13 %, 91.38 %, and 94.25 % respectively, upon calcination. Furthermore, the produced biodiesel was characterised to evaluate its fuel properties: the tested parameters kinematic viscosity, density, flash point and acid value were within the desirable limits for biodiesel according to American and European standards . Moreover, the catalyst showed that it can be reused as after six cycles of reuse a biodiesel yield above 89 % was realised.